Kristin Scott Thomas says British women have no style

British actress Kristin Scott Thomas has lived in France for over three decades and seemingly thinks little of the style of the UK’s female population.

In an interview with French magazine Marie France, the 55-year-old star of The English Patient lambasted the fashion predilections of the country she left aged 19.

When asked about the differences between French and English style, the actress wasn’t shy in her views. “The French woman can be seductive, attractive, without ever being too sexy. There’s nothing vulgar, everything lies in subtlety. The English, it’s terrible… and it’s completely the opposite!” she said, adding: “For example, they dare to wear mini-skirts when they don’t have the legs for them. In France, that would clearly be bad taste. And actually, it’s funny, this concept of ‘bad taste’ doesn’t exist in England. Neither in beauty or fashion.”

Scott Thomas was born in Cornwall but moved to France to become an au pair when she was told that would never make a good actress. Her career took off after moving to the French capital; after graduating from a French theatre school she was cast opposite pop star Prince in Under The Cherry Moon. In 1987 she married French gynaecologist François Olivennes, with whom she had three children (they split up in 2005).

The actress was interviewed as part of promotional duties for Lierac, a pharmaceutical brand of which she is the new face. In terms of fashion, she said: "The English, they concern themselves much more with what is in fashion. They follow the latest trends and end up all looking the same.” She criticised the national obsession with wanting to look tanned, and the usage of fake tan as a means to do so. “In summer, everyone is orange! And as soon as there are a few rays of sunshine, every is outside – borderline naked!”

She praised French women for their 'faux natural' approach to style and beauty matters. "They take good care of their faces, and I get the impression that they are more interested in beauty treatments - which have a deep impact - as opposed to make-up. For me, the French aren't scared of using recipes passed down from their grandmothers, even in beauty."

She also cited French actress and James Bond star Lea Seydoux as the woman who embodies French chic as its best.